AIBU to use the fast track passport service?

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Hi. I'm scatterbrained. I know that!

We are going on holiday 28 August. I have not travelled abroad since brexit/the pandemic.

A few years ago my adult passport got washing machined. I've travelled on it a few times since, mainly using the wee gates where you scan the chip as the chip still worked- no issues, no one mentioned it. I have not travelled outside the EU.

My passport isn't in any worse condition since then, but I'm now worried because we aren't in the EU there will be more scrutiny. We are going to Portugal and I think they do extra checks going in too.

I think I've left it too late for the regular passport replacement service? Normally I'd use that but I'm hearing its taking months and months at the moment? I am confused about the urgent service but don't live too far from the passport office so I think I can figure it out. Looks expensive but Id rather that than turned away?

Current smushed passport still has a year on it, so I guess I'd need to replace it soon anyway. Would you risk smushed passport this year and do a regular slow replacement? Are they no more strict than before? Or do you think there's no way I'm getting past checks on this and need a new one ASAP?

By "do a regular slow replacement" in the last paragraph I meant next year when it's up for expiring.

What’s the photo page like? Is it bad?

Very mildly water damaged photo page. Are the squiggles maybe just part of the design. Everything is legible, picture is clear enough. I have used scans of water damaged photo page for when they need proof of my right to work in the UK or whatever. (And I've been through the airport multiple times before and had people look at it) obvs can't take a picture to show you but I wish I could!

TBH in your shoes I would just use the passport you have if it has plenty of time left and you have successfully used it since the accident.

But as to renewal times, I renewed mine this month after returning from holiday as it would have been 10 years old later this year. I have no immediate plans to travel so thought I would do it while I had plenty of time. It took 3 days!!!!

I used one of those Photo Me booths that give you a code to upload a digital photo and applied online. I posted my old passport the same day by Royal Mail signed for delivery.

So submitted application and posted old passport on Tuesday. On Wednesday got notification that they had received the old passport. On Thursday morning notified it had been approved and passport being printed. On Friday morning notified it had been dispatched and then TNT popped it through the letter box before I had even got downstairs.

Maybe I was just lucky but it seemed pretty slick to me

If it's just the cover I would just use that one

Some are a few days, others are over 10wks. There’s a lot of backlogs at some point passport offices

For the sake of renewing it a year early I would just do it than stress about being turned away.

And I would fast track it.

Renewals are a bit of a lottery at the moment... I did DW and DDs renewals on the same day. DW's old passport had to be sent to Peterborough and the replacement arrived 9 days later (including postage time) using the standard service. DD's old passport had to go to Liverpool, and we're still waiting for the replacement 3 weeks later.
I would fast track it if you're going to replace it now.

I had go fast track mine and my two kids, bit of money but they arrived in less than a week and took all the stress away! Totally worth it.

FWIW I helped a friend renew their passport recently and it took almost exactly 2 weeks from online application to arrival of new passport so not every one is taking forever like all the stories we hear.

@5foot5 you've been really lucky, one of my employees has been waiting since April, child renewal, and not looking hopeful she'll have it back before her holiday next month!

Same with mine, although I was changing my name, so I don't know if that made it quicker 🙂

We've just received one back from Liverpool in 8 days & they only received the old passport on Tuesday. I sent mine to Peterborough on Wednesday & they now have the old passport so I'm waiting for the next update message. Neither were fast tracked but submitted online.

I flew into Lisbon last month, no additional checks and E-gates at passport control. As long as you've got three months left on the day you re-enter the UK you should be fine

Actually sorry, we went through E-gates and then had to get our passports stamped, but if it lets you through the gate then they know the info is valid....

I renewed my passport at the post office, no appointment necessary, they took new photo, checked everything, sent it off. I got email and texts every few days telling me of progress. Got new passport back within 2 weeks. Cost £16 more which I thought was a bargain.

My daughter's passport took 16 weeks and finally got it this week. Because of this, I joined a FB group. Loads of people's applications put in June/July being returned in 2 weeks. Those of us who applied in March/April have been waiting far too long.

I think the passport you have should be fine if you've used it before. If you're getting cold feet though, you will 95% get it back if you fast track it in the next fortnight.

Those of you who know people who've been waiting over 10 weeks, get your MP involved. 2 calls from my MPs office got my application through... They have access to people we mere mortals don't get.